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CITY OF MARINE ON ST. CROIX CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Year 2016 Proposed Budget – Truth-n-Taxation
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Mayor Mills.
Chris Mowery, Lon Pardun, Bill Miller and Dan Willebring Present.
Citizens Present: David Denn, Mary Skamser, Robin Brooksbank, Linda Tibbetts, Terry Mistalski, Pat Albertson, Doug Latuseck, Charles Arnason, Brian Jemelka, Andy and Ann Kirn, Richard Boulet, Peter and Christine Cundall, Peter Marker, Jack Thompson, Karron Nottingham, Bill Ries, Pat Pardun, Brian Mader, Fred Remund, Dave Best.
Mayor Mills stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the 2016 proposed budget and began by presenting a power point presentation showing how property tax dollars are calculated. The Council then reviewed how the budget line items are put together, and how money that is not used throughout the year is set aside in reserve funds for future projects. Miller noted that the City has a long history of not carrying debt, and therefore budgets for long term projects so those projects can be paid for in cash.
Linda Tibbetts questioned why there is no longer a line item for the Bike Trail fund. Clerk Peterson stated there is currently $98,444 in reserve funds for the bike trail. The City Council would like to have the City Engineer submit a cost estimate for the project rather than just continue to add to the fund without an actual cost goal in mind.
The Council reviewed the Capital expenses, beginning with the $100,000 budgeted for the dump truck replacement. The current dump truck was purchased in 2001, and over the last two years has had almost $16,000 worth of repairs. Currently there is $20,000 set aside in the reserve funds with an additional $30,000 budgeted for 2015. Jason Crotty also noted that the City could get between $25,000 and $30,000 for the trade in value, therefore bringing the cost of a new truck from approximately $160,000 down to just under $100,000. If the City bonded for the balance of the truck, the interest rates would only be around 1.9%. After much discussion, the City Council agreed to bond for the purchase of a new dump truck which eliminated $100,000 from the proposed budget.
The next item discussed was the tennis court reconstruction. The tennis court is to the point where it can no longer be asphalted over and must be torn up and completely replaced. The bid for this work came in at $40,000, and therefore the Council discussed budgeting $10,000 per year for four years. Linda Tibbetts questioned why the school district would not pay for that work to be done since it is on their property. Mayor Mills explained that many years ago, an agreement was made between the district and the school that the tennis court and ice rink/warming house could be built on the school property, but would be owned and maintained by the City. Mayor Mills also noted that with the district moving to a middle school model, the elementary schools will no longer house a sixth grade classroom. This transition is causing the school board to look at whether Marine will even continue to be a viable school and therefore there are talks of Marine elementary possibly becoming a charter school. Given this information, the Council decided to wait on any improvements to the tennis court and opted to eliminate the $10,000 proposed for that project from the budget.
Peter Marker questioned the $25,000 budgeted for Engineering Services. Willenbring explained that the City has recently completed a Capital Improvement Plan and this money will be used for the Engineering Studies that will be needed to support that plan. After further discussion, Pardun suggested dropping that amount to $20,000 to which the Council agreed.
Linda Tibbetts suggested cutting the Stormwater budget in half from $30,000 to $15,000. Pardun explained that there are several upcoming projects including the raingarden project, which the City is receiving matching grant monies for, Millpond dredging, and the County Road 4 project, all which will come out of this fund. After further discussion, Pardun suggested reducing the stormwater line item by $5,000 to $25,000.
Willenbring questioned the $10,000 budgeted for sweeping. Pardun noted that the cost for sweeping the entire town is $2,500 per time, so the $10,000 would pay for sweeping four different times throughout the year. The sweeping of sand and debris around town is a part of the stormwater/clean water initiative of the City. Pardun suggested reducing the budget in half to $5,000 and only sweeping 2x next year.
Andy Kirn questioned the increase in Public Safety Relief and Compensation. Chief Denn stated part of that increase is due to an increase in membership. The department has added 13 new members in 2015. Chief Denn noted that Marine is the last department in the Metro area that is not an on call paid department, and the compensation and pension funds that the department members received are still very low in comparison to most other departments. Chief Denn also stated that since implementing the compensation plan, overall attendance and participation in department events has increased almost 50%. The Council consensus was to leave the Public Safety budget as proposed, however Willenbring noted that these types of large increases cannot continue moving forward.
Willenbring questioned the audience as to whether they agree with the projects the Council has allocated in the budget and whether there are things the residents would like to see money spent on that isn’t currently in the budget. One resident stated that he appreciates the Council focusing on outdoor activities for citizens, whether it is through the trail system, ice rink, etc.
The City Council will formally adopt the 2016 budget of $835,528.94 which represents a 6.3% increase at the December 10th City Council meeting.
Mowery moved and Miller seconded to adjourn at 7:51pm. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes taken by Lynette Peterson, City Clerk.
Year 2016 Budget Attached.